[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1295 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1295

                   To provide for dropout prevention.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 20, 1997

 Mr. Bingaman introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
         referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
                   To provide for dropout prevention.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF TITLES.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National Dropout 
Prevention Act of 1997''.
    (b) Table of Titles.--The table of titles of this Act is as 
follows:

                      TITLE I--DROPOUT PREVENTION

  TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO THE CARL D. PERKINS VOCATIONAL AND APPLIED 
                        TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION ACT

   TITLE III--DROPOUT PREVENTION IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965

                    TITLE IV--STATE RESPONSIBILITIES

                      TITLE I--DROPOUT PREVENTION

SEC. 101. DROPOUT PREVENTION.

    Part C of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7261 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:

        ``PART C--ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS SCHOOL DROPOUT PROBLEMS

               ``Subpart 1--Coordinated National Strategy

``SEC. 5311. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) National Priority.--It shall be a national priority, for the 
5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the National 
Dropout Prevention Act of 1997, to lower the school dropout rate, and 
increase school completion, for middle school and secondary school 
students in accordance with Federal law. As part of this priority, all 
Federal agencies that carry out activities that serve students at risk 
of dropping out of school or that are intended to help address the 
school dropout problem shall make school dropout prevention a top 
priority in the agencies' funding priorities during the 5-year period.
    ``(b) Enhanced Data Collection.--The Secretary shall collect 
systematic data on the participation of different racial and ethnic 
groups (including migrant and limited English proficient students) in 
all Federal programs.

``SEC. 5312. NATIONAL SCHOOL DROPOUT PREVENTION STRATEGY.

    ``(a) Plan.--The Director shall develop, implement, and monitor an 
interagency plan (in this section referred to as the ``plan'') to 
assess the coordination, use of resources, and availability of funding 
under Federal law that can be used to address school dropout 
prevention, or middle school or secondary school reentry. The plan 
shall be completed and transmitted to the Secretary and Congress not 
later than 180 days after the first Director is appointed.
    ``(b) Coordination.--The plan shall address inter- and intra-agency 
program coordination issues at the Federal level with respect to school 
dropout prevention and middle school and secondary school reentry, 
assess the targeting of existing Federal services to students who are 
most at risk of dropping out of school, and the cost-effectiveness of 
various programs and approaches used to address school dropout 
prevention.
    ``(c) Available Resources.--The plan shall also describe the ways 
in which State and local agencies can implement effective school 
dropout prevention programs using funds from a variety of Federal 
programs, including the programs under title I of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) and the 
School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.).
    ``(d) Scope.--The plan will address all Federal programs with 
school dropout prevention or school reentry elements or objectives, 
programs under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq.), title I of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et 
seq.), the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 6101 et 
seq.), and part B of title IV of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 
U.S.C. 1691 et seq.), and other programs.

``SEC. 5313. NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE.

    ``Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of the 
National Dropout Prevention Act of 1997, the Director shall establish a 
national clearinghouse on effective school dropout prevention, 
intervention and reentry programs. The clearinghouse shall be 
established through a competitive grant or contract awarded to an 
organization with a demonstrated capacity to provide technical 
assistance and disseminate information in the area of school dropout 
prevention, intervention, and reentry programs. The clearinghouse 
shall--
            ``(1) collect and disseminate to educators, parents, and 
        policymakers information on research, effective programs, best 
        practices, and available Federal resources with respect to 
        school dropout prevention, intervention, and reentry programs, 
        including dissemination by an electronically accessible 
        database, a worldwide Web site, and a national journal; and
            ``(2) provide technical assistance regarding securing 
        resources with respect to, and designing and implementing, 
        effective and comprehensive school dropout prevention, 
        intervention, and reentry programs.

``SEC. 5314. NATIONAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director shall carry out a national 
recognition program that recognizes schools that have made 
extraordinary progress in lowering school dropout rates under which a 
public middle school or secondary school from each State will be 
recognized. The Director shall use uniform national guidelines that are 
developed by the Director for the recognition program and shall 
recognize schools from nominations submitted by State educational 
agencies.
    ``(b) Eligible Schools.--The Director may recognize any public 
middle school or secondary school (including a charter school) that has 
implemented comprehensive reforms regarding the lowering of school 
dropout rates for all students at that school.
    ``(c) Support.--The Director may make monetary awards to schools 
recognized under this section, in amounts determined by the Director. 
Amounts received under this section shall be used for dissemination 
activities within the school district or nationally.

       ``Subpart 2--National School Dropout Prevention Initiative

``SEC. 5321. FINDINGS.

    ``Congress finds that, in order to lower dropout rates and raise 
academic achievement levels, improved and redesigned schools must--
            ``(1) challenge all children to attain their highest 
        academic potential; and
            ``(2) ensure that all students have substantial and ongoing 
        opportunities to--
                    ``(A) achieve high levels of academic and technical 
                skills;
                    ``(B) prepare for college and careers;
                    ``(C) learn by doing;
                    ``(D) work with teachers in small schools within 
                schools;
                    ``(E) receive ongoing support from adult mentors;
                    ``(F) access a wide variety of information about 
                careers and postsecondary education and training;
                    ``(G) use technology to enhance and motivate 
                learning; and
                    ``(H) benefit from strong links among middle 
                schools, secondary schools, and postsecondary 
                institutions.

``SEC. 5322. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    ``(a) Allotments to States.--
            ``(1) In general.--From the sum made available under 
        section 5332(b) for a fiscal year the Secretary shall make an 
        allotment to each State in an amount that bears the same 
        relation to the sum as the amount the State received under 
        title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
        (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) for the preceding fiscal year bears to 
        the amount received by all States under such title for the 
        preceding fiscal year.
            ``(2) Definition of state.--In this subpart, the term 
        ``State'' means each of the several States of the United 
        States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 
        the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic 
        of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, 
        and the Republic of Palau.
    ``(b) Grants.--From amounts made available to a State under 
subsection (a), the State educational agency may award grants to public 
middle schools or secondary schools, that have school dropout rates 
which are in the highest \1/3\ of all school dropout rates in the 
State, to enable the schools to pay only the startup and implementation 
costs of effective, sustainable, coordinated, and whole school dropout 
prevention programs that involve activities such as--
            ``(1) professional development;
            ``(2) obtaining curricular materials;
            ``(3) release time for professional staff; and
            ``(4) planning and research.
    ``(b) Intent of Congress.--It is the intent of Congress that the 
activities started or implemented under subsection (a) shall be 
continued with funding provided under part A of title I of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et 
seq.).
    ``(c) Number.--The State educational agency shall award not more 
than 1,000 grants under this subpart during the first year that the 
State receives an allotment under this subpart, not more than 1,500 
grants during the second such year, and not more than 2,000 grants 
during the third such year.
    ``(d) Amount.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to subsection (e) and except as 
        provided in paragraph (2), a grant under this subpart shall be 
        awarded--
                    ``(A) in the first year that a school receives a 
                grant payment under this subpart, in an amount that is 
                not less than $50,000 and not more than $100,000, based 
                on factors such as--
                            ``(i) school size;
                            ``(ii) costs of the model being 
                        implemented; and
                            ``(iii) local cost factors such as poverty 
                        rates;
                    ``(B) in the second such year, in an amount that is 
                not less than 75 percent of the amount the school 
                received under this subpart in the first such year;
                    ``(C) in the third year, in an amount that is not 
                less than 50 percent of the amount the school received 
                under this subpart in the first such year; and
                    ``(D) in each succeeding year in an amount that is 
                not less than 30 percent of the amount the school 
                received under this subpart in the first such year.
            ``(2) Increases.--The Director shall increase the amount 
        awarded to a school under this subpart by 10 percent if the 
        school creates smaller learning communities within the school 
        and the creation is certified by the State educational agency.
    ``(e) Duration.--A grant under this subpart shall be awarded for a 
period of 3 years, and may be continued for a period of 2 additional 
years if the State educational agency determines, based on the annual 
reports described in section 5328(a), that significant progress has 
been made in lowering the school dropout rate for students 
participating in the program assisted under this subpart compared to 
students at similar schools who are not participating in the program.

``SEC. 5323. STRATEGIES AND ALLOWABLE MODELS.

    ``(a) Strategies.--Each school receiving a grant under this subpart 
shall implement research-based, sustainable, and widely replicated, 
strategies for school dropout prevention and reentry that address the 
needs of an entire school population rather than a subset of students. 
The strategies may include--
            ``(1) specific strategies for targeted purposes; and
            ``(2) approaches such as breaking larger schools down into 
        smaller learning communities and other comprehensive reform 
        approaches, developing clear linkages to career skills and 
        employment, and addressing specific gatekeeper hurdles that 
        often limit student retention and academic success.
    ``(b) Allowable Models.--The Director shall annually establish and 
publish in the Federal Register the principles, criteria, models, and 
other parameters regarding the types of effective, proven program 
models that are allowed to be used under this subpart, based on 
existing research.
    ``(c) Capacity Building.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director, through a contract with a 
        non-Federal entity, shall conduct a capacity building and 
        design initiative in order to increase the types of proven 
        strategies for dropout prevention on a schoolwide level.
            ``(2) Number and duration.--
                    ``(A) Number.--The Director shall award not more 
                than 5 contracts under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Duration.--The Director shall award a 
                contract under this section for a period of not more 
                than 5 years.
    ``(d) Support for Existing Reform Networks.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall provide appropriate 
        support to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to 
        provide training, materials, development, and staff assistance 
        to schools assisted under this subpart.
            ``(2) Definition of eligible entity.--The term `eligible 
        entity' means an entity that, prior to the date of enactment of 
        the National Dropout Prevention Act of 1997--
                    ``(A) provided training, technical assistance, and 
                materials to 100 or more elementary schools or 
                secondary schools; and
                    ``(B) developed and published a specific 
                educational program or design for use by the schools.

``SEC. 5324. SELECTION OF SCHOOLS.

    ``(a) School Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each school desiring a grant under this 
        subpart shall submit an application to the State educational 
        agency at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
        information as the State educational agency may require.
            ``(2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph 
        (1) shall--
                    ``(A) contain a certification from the local 
                educational agency serving the school that--
                            ``(i) the school has the highest number or 
                        rates of school dropouts in the age group 
                        served by the local educational agency;
                            ``(ii) the local educational agency is 
                        committed to providing ongoing operational 
                        support, for the school's comprehensive reform 
                        plan to address the problem of school dropouts, 
                        for a period of 5 years; and
                            ``(iii) the local educational agency will 
                        support the plan, including--
                                    ``(I) release time for teacher 
                                training;
                                    ``(II) efforts to coordinate 
                                activities for feeder schools; and
                                    ``(III) encouraging other schools 
                                served by the local educational agency 
                                to participate in the plan;
                    ``(B) demonstrate that the faculty and 
                administration of the school have agreed to apply for 
                assistance under this subpart, and provide evidence of 
                the school's willingness and ability to use the funds 
                under this subpart, including providing an assurance of 
                the support of 80 percent or more of the professional 
                staff at the school;
                    ``(C) describe the instructional strategies to be 
                implemented, how the strategies will serve all 
                students, and the effectiveness of the strategies;
                    ``(D) describe a budget and timeline for 
                implementing the strategies;
                    ``(E) contain evidence of interaction with an 
                eligible entity described in section 5323(d)(2);
                    ``(F) contain evidence of coordination with 
                existing resources;
                    ``(G) provide an assurance that funds provided 
                under this subpart will supplement and not supplant 
                other Federal, State, and local funds;
                    ``(H) describe how the activities to be assisted 
                conform with an allowable model described in section 
                5323(b); and
                    ``(I) demonstrate that the school and local 
                educational agency have agreed to conduct a schoolwide 
                program under 1114.
    ``(b) State Agency Review and Award.--The State educational agency 
shall review applications and award grants to schools under subsection 
(a) according to a review by a panel of experts on school dropout 
prevention.
    ``(c) Criteria.--The Director shall establish clear and specific 
selection criteria for awarding grants to schools under this subpart. 
Such criteria shall be based on school dropout rates and other relevant 
factors for State educational agencies to use in determining the number 
of grants to award and the type of schools to be awarded grants.
    ``(d) Eligibility.--
            ``(1) In general.--A school is eligible to receive a grant 
        under this subpart if the school is--
                    ``(A) a public school--
                            ``(i) that is eligible to receive 
                        assistance under part A of title I of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                        (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.), including a 
                        comprehensive secondary school, a vocational or 
                        technical secondary school, and a charter 
                        school; and
                            ``(ii)(I) that serves students 50 percent 
                        or more of whom are low-income individuals; or
                            ``(II) with respect to which the feeder 
                        schools that provide the majority of the 
                        incoming students to the school serve students 
                        50 percent or more of whom are low-income 
                        individuals; or
                    ``(B) is participating in a schoolwide program 
                under section 1114 during the grant period.
            ``(2) Other schools.--A private or parochial school, an 
        alternative school, or a school within a school, is not 
        eligible to receive a grant under this subpart, but an 
        alternative school or school within a school may be served 
        under this subpart as part of a whole school reform effort 
        within an entire school building.
    ``(e) Community-Based Organizations.--A school that receives a 
grant under this subpart may use the grant funds to secure necessary 
services from a community-based organization, including private sector 
entities, if--
            ``(1) the school approves the use;
            ``(2) the funds are used to provide school dropout 
        prevention and reentry activities related to schoolwide 
        efforts; and
            ``(3) the community-based organization has demonstrated the 
        organization's ability to provide effective services as 
        described in section 107(a) of the Job Training Partnership Act 
        (29 U.S.C. 1517(a)).
    ``(f) Coordination.--Each school that receives a grant under this 
subpart shall coordinate the activities assisted under this subpart 
with other Federal programs, such as programs assisted under chapter 1 
of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq.) and the School-to-Work Opportunities Act 
of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.).

``SEC. 5325. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES.

    ``Each school that receives a grant under this subpart shall 
provide information and technical assistance to other schools within 
the school district, including presentations, document-sharing, and 
joint staff development.

``SEC. 5326. PROGRESS INCENTIVES.

    ``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each local 
educational agency that receives funds under title I of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) shall use 
such funding to provide assistance to schools served by the agency that 
have not made progress toward lowering school dropout rates after 
receiving assistance under this subpart for 2 fiscal years.

``SEC. 5327. SCHOOL DROPOUT RATE CALCULATION.

    ``For purposes of calculating a school dropout rate under this 
subpart, a school shall use--
            ``(1) the annual event school dropout rate for students 
        leaving a school in a single year determined in accordance with 
        the National Center for Education Statistics' Common Core of 
        Data, if available; or
            ``(2) in other cases, a standard method for calculating the 
        school dropout rate as determined by the State educational 
        agency.

``SEC. 5328. REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

    ``(a) Reporting.--In order to receive funding under this subpart 
for a fiscal year after the first fiscal year a school receives funding 
under this subpart, the school shall provide, on an annual basis, to 
the Director a report regarding the status of the implementation of 
activities funded under this subpart, the disaggregated outcome data 
for students at schools assisted under this subpart such as dropout 
rates, and certification of progress from the eligible entity whose 
strategies the school is implementing.
    ``(b) Accountability.--On the basis of the reports submitted under 
subsection (a), the Director shall evaluate the effect of the 
activities assisted under this subpart on school dropout prevention 
compared to a control group.

``SEC. 5329. PROHIBITION ON TRACKING.

    ``(a) In General.--A school shall be ineligible to receive funding 
under this subpart for a fiscal year, if the school--
            ``(1) has in place a general education track;
            ``(2) provides courses with significantly different 
        material and requirements to students at the same grade level; 
        or
            ``(3) fails to encourage all students to take a core 
        curriculum of courses.
    ``(b) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate regulations 
implementing subsection (a).

       ``Subpart 3--Definitions; Authorization of Appropriations

``SEC. 5331. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this Act:
            ``(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director 
        of the Office of Dropout Prevention and Program Completion 
        established under section 219 of the General Education 
        Provisions Act.
            ``(2) Low-income.--The term ``low-income'', used with 
        respect to an individual, means an individual determined to be 
        low-income in accordance with measures described in section 
        1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)).
            ``(3) School dropout.--The term ``school dropout'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 4(17) of the School-to-Work 
        Opportunities Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 6103(17)).

``SEC. 5332. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) Subpart 1.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out subpart 1, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be 
necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
    ``(b) Subpart 2.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out subpart 2, $95,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be 
necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years, of which--
            ``(1) $75,000,000 shall be available to carry out section 
        5322; and
            ``(2) $20,000,000 shall be available to carry out section 
        5323.''.

SEC. 102. OFFICE OF DROPOUT PREVENTION AND PROGRAM COMPLETION.

    Title II of the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 
3411) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 216 (as added by Public Law 
        103-227) as section 218; and
            (2) by adding after section 218 (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1)) the following:

         ``office of dropout prevention and program completion

    ``Sec. 219. (a) Establishment.--There shall be in the Department of 
Education an Office of Dropout Prevention and Program Completion 
(hereafter in this section referred to as the `Office'), to be 
administered by the Director of the Office of Dropout Prevention and 
Program Completion. The Director of the Office shall report directly to 
the Secretary and shall perform such additional functions as the 
Secretary may prescribe.
    ``(b) Duties.--The Director of the Office of Dropout Prevention and 
Program Completion (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
`Director'), through the Office, shall--
            ``(1) help coordinate Federal, State, and local efforts to 
        lower school dropout rates and increase program completion by 
        middle school, secondary school, and college students;
            ``(2) recommend Federal policies, objectives, and 
        priorities to lower school dropout rates and increase program 
        completion;
            ``(3) oversee the implementation of subpart 2 of part C of 
        title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965;
            ``(4) develop and implement the National School Dropout 
        Prevention Strategy under section 5312 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965;
            ``(5) annually prepare and submit to Congress and the 
        Secretary a national report describing efforts and recommended 
        actions regarding school dropout prevention and program 
        completion;
            ``(6) recommend action to the Secretary and the President, 
        as appropriate, regarding school dropout prevention and program 
        completion; and
            ``(7) consult with and assist State and local governments 
        regarding school dropout prevention and program completion.
    ``(c) Scope of Duties.--The scope of the Director's duties under 
subsection (b) shall include examination of all Federal and non-Federal 
efforts related to--
            ``(1) promoting program completion for children attending 
        middle school or secondary school;
            ``(2) programs to obtain a secondary school diploma or its 
        recognized equivalent (including general equivalency diploma 
        (GED) programs), or college degree programs; and
            ``(3) reentry programs for individuals aged 12 to 24 who 
        are out of school.
    ``(d) Detailing.--In carrying out the Director's duties under this 
section, the Director may request the head of any Federal department or 
agency to detail personnel who are engaged in school dropout prevention 
activities to another Federal department or agency in order to 
implement the National School Dropout Prevention Strategy.''.

  TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO THE CARL D. PERKINS VOCATIONAL AND APPLIED 
                        TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION ACT

SEC. 201. PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND EXPECTED LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE.

    Section 115 of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied 
Technology Education Act (20 U.S.C. 2325) is amended to read as 
follows:

``SEC. 115. PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND EXPECTED LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE.

    ``(a) Establishment of Performance Measures.--After consultation 
with State educational agencies, local educational agencies, eligible 
recipients, and other interested parties (including representatives of 
business and representatives of labor organizations), the Secretary--
            ``(1) shall establish and publish performance measures to 
        assess the progress of each State educational agency in 
        achieving--
                    ``(A) student mastery of academic skills;
                    ``(B) student mastery of vocational skill 
                proficiencies for students in vocational education 
                programs, that are necessary for the receipt of a 
                secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, 
                or a secondary school skill certificate; and
                    ``(C) placement in, retention in, and completion 
                of, secondary school education (as determined under 
                State law) and postsecondary education; and
            ``(2) may establish and publish performance measures to 
        assess the progress of each State educational agency in 
        achieving--
                    ``(A) student mastery of job readiness skills;
                    ``(B) receipt of a postsecondary degree or 
                certificate;
                    ``(C) placement and retention in employment and in 
                military service, including for special populations;
                    ``(D) participation in and completion of 
                nontraditional vocational education programs; and
                    ``(E) other performance measures as determined by 
                the Secretary.
    ``(b) Expected Levels of Performance.--In developing a State plan 
under section 113, each State shall negotiate with the Secretary the 
expected levels of performance for the performance measures described 
in subsection (a).''.

SEC. 202. STATE LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.

    Section 201 of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied 
Technology Education Act (20 U.S.C. 2331 et seq.) is amended to read as 
follows:

``SEC. 201. STATE LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Mandatory.--Each State shall use the funds reserved under 
section 102(a)(3) to conduct State leadership activities that further 
the development, implementation, and improvement of vocational 
education within the State and that are integrated, to the maximum 
extent possible, with challenging State academic standards, including--
            ``(1) providing comprehensive professional development 
        (including initial teacher preparation) for vocational, 
        academic, guidance, and administrative personnel, that--
                    ``(A) will help the teachers and personnel to meet 
                the expected levels of performance established under 
                section 115;
                    ``(B) reflects the State educational agency's 
                assessment of the State educational agency's needs for 
                professional development; and
                    ``(C) is integrated with the professional 
                development activities that the State carries out under 
                title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6001 et seq.);
            ``(2) monitoring and evaluating the quality of, and 
        improvement in, activities conducted with assistance under this 
        title; and
            ``(3) ensuring that sufficient vocational education 
        programs are provided under this title for adults and school 
        dropouts to complete their secondary school education.
    ``(b) Permissive.--Each State may use the funds reserved under 
section 102(a)(3) for--
            ``(1) improving guidance and counseling programs that 
        assist students in making informed education and vocational 
        decisions;
            ``(2) supporting vocational student organizations, 
        especially with respect to efforts to increase the 
        participation of students who are members of special 
        populations;
            ``(3) providing assistance to students who have 
        participated in services and activities under this title in 
        finding an appropriate job and continuing their education;
            ``(4) developing and disseminating curricula that are 
        aligned, as appropriate, with challenging State academic 
        standards, and vocational and technological skills;
            ``(5) promoting gender equity in secondary and 
        postsecondary vocational education;
            ``(6) supporting tech-prep education activities;
            ``(7) improving and expanding the use of technology in 
        instruction;
            ``(8) supporting partnerships among local educational 
        agencies, institutions of higher education, adult education 
        providers, and, as appropriate, other entities, such as 
        employers, labor organizations, parents, and local 
        partnerships, to enable students to achieve to challenging 
        State academic standards, and vocational and technological 
        skills; and
            ``(9) serving individuals in State institutions, such as 
        State correctional institutions and institutions that serve 
        individuals with disabilities.''.

SEC. 203. LOCAL ACTIVITIES.

    Subsection (c) of section 235 of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and 
Applied Technology Education Act (20 U.S.C. 2342(c)) is amended to read 
as follows:
    ``(c) Local Activities.--
            ``(1) Mandatory.--Funds made available to an eligible 
        recipient under this part shall be used--
                    ``(A) to conduct vocational education programs, and 
                technological education programs related to vocational 
                education, that further student achievement;
                    ``(B) to provide services and activities that are 
                of sufficient size, scope, and quality to be effective;
                    ``(C) to integrate academic education with 
                vocational education for students participating in 
                vocational education;
                    ``(D) to provide services and activities designed 
                to engage students of varying levels of academic 
                performance;
                    ``(E) to link secondary education (as determined 
                under State law) and postsecondary education, including 
                implementing tech-prep programs;
                    ``(F) to provide professional development 
                activities to teachers, counselors, and administrators, 
                including--
                            ``(i) inservice and preservice training in 
                        state-of-the-art vocational education programs;
                            ``(ii) internship programs that provide 
                        business experience to teachers; and
                            ``(iii) programs designed to train teachers 
                        specifically in the use and application of 
                        technology;
                    ``(G) to improve or expand the use of technology in 
                vocational instruction, including professional 
                development in the use of technology, which may include 
                distance learning;
                    ``(H) to expand, improve, and modernize quality 
                vocational education programs;
                    ``(I) to provide access to quality vocational 
                education programs for students, including students who 
                are members of special populations;
                    ``(J) to develop and implement performance 
                management systems and evaluations;
                    ``(K) to promote gender equity in secondary and 
                postsecondary vocational education; and
                    ``(L) to provide vocational education programs for 
                adults and school dropouts to complete their secondary 
                school education.
            ``(2) Permissive.--Funds made available to an eligible 
        recipient under this part may be used--
                    ``(A) to carry out student internships;
                    ``(B) to provide guidance and counseling for 
                students participating in vocational education 
                programs;
                    ``(C) to acquire and adapt equipment, including 
                instructional aids;
                    ``(D) to support vocational student organizations;
                    ``(E) to provide assistance to students who have 
                participated in services and activities under this 
                title in finding an appropriate job and continuing 
                their education; and
                    ``(F) to support other activities that are 
                consistent with the purpose of this Act.''.

   TITLE III--DROPOUT PREVENTION IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965

SEC. 301. TRIO MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM.

    Chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 402H as 402I; and
            (2) by inserting after section 402G the following:

``SEC. 402H. TRIO MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Program Authority.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
to be known as the Trio Middle School Program which shall be designed 
to generate skills and motivation necessary for success in making the 
transition to secondary school and completing secondary school.
    ``(b) Permissible Services.--Any Trio Middle School project 
assisted under this chapter may provide services to students in grades 
6, 7, or 8, such as--
            ``(1) instruction in reading, writing, study skills, 
        mathematics, and other subjects necessary for success in making 
        the transition to secondary school;
            ``(2) personal counseling;
            ``(3) academic advice and assistance in course selection 
        and preparation for secondary school;
            ``(4) tutorial services;
            ``(5) exposure to cultural events, academic programs, and 
        other activities not usually available to disadvantaged youth;
            ``(6) activities designed to acquaint youths participating 
        in the project with the range of career options available to 
        the youths;
            ``(7) mentoring programs involving elementary or secondary 
        school teachers, faculty members at institutions of higher 
        education, students, or any combination of such persons; and
            ``(8) programs and activities described in paragraphs (1) 
        through (7) which are specially designed for students of 
        limited English proficiency.
    ``(c) Requirements for Approval of Applications.--In approving 
applications for early intervention projects under this chapter for any 
fiscal year, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) require an assurance that not less than \2/3\ of the 
        youths participating in the project proposed to be carried out 
        under any application be low-income individuals who will be 
        first generation college students;
            ``(2) require an assurance that the remaining youths 
        participating in the project proposed to be carried out under 
        any application be low-income individuals or will be first 
        generation college students; and
            ``(3) require that there be a determination by the 
        institution, with respect to each participant in such project 
        that the participant has a need for academic support in order 
        to make the transition to secondary school.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $45,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 
and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
years.''.

SEC. 302. TRIO AWARD CONSIDERATIONS.

    Section 402A(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1070a-11(c)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(1) Prior experience.--In making grants'' 
        and inserting the following:
            ``(1) Considerations.--
                    ``(A) Prior experience.--In making grants'';
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (1)(A) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1)) the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(B) Additional considerations.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In making grants and 
                        contracts under this chapter, the Secretary 
                        shall consider--
                                    ``(I) the degree to which the 
                                applicant will serve student 
                                populations that are underrepresented 
                                in grants and contracts previously made 
                                under this chapter; and
                                    ``(II) in the case of grants and 
                                contracts awarded under sections 402B 
                                and 402C, the degree to which the 
                                applicant serves individuals from 
                                population groups with 
                                disproportionately high dropout rates 
                                from secondary schools.
                            ``(ii) Level of consideration.--The level 
                        of consideration given to the factors described 
                        in this subparagraph shall be equal to the 
                        level of consideration given for prior 
experience under subparagraph (A).
                            ``(iii) Special rule.--The Secretary shall 
                        give consideration to an applicant described in 
                        subclause (I) or (II) of clause (i), except 
                        that the Secretary shall not give any 
                        additional consideration to an applicant 
                        described in both such subclauses.''; and
            (3) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and other additional 
        considerations'' after ``prior experience''.

SEC. 303. LOCAL COORDINATION.

    The last sentence of section 402A(c)(6) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11) is amended to read as follows: ``The 
Secretary shall permit a Director of a program assisted under this 
chapter to administer 1 or more other programs assisted under this 
chapter.''.

SEC. 304. ADDITIONAL TRIO REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 402A(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1070a-11(c)) is amended further by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Coordination incentives.--The Secretary shall provide 
        an eligible recipient an additional 5 percent of the amount of 
        any grant or contract funds awarded the eligible recipient 
        under this chapter if the program or project for which the 
        recipient receives the funds provides a continuum of services 
        to a school or student cohort that is served pursuant to a 
        different grant or contract under this chapter.
            ``(8) Recruiting.--Each recipient of a grant or contract 
        under this chapter shall not engage in recruiting practices for 
        student participation in the program or project assisted under 
        the grant or contract that limit the opportunities for at-risk 
        youth to participate in the program or project, such as--
                    ``(A) solely relying on posted flyers or other 
                passive means for recruitment for such participation; 
                or
                    ``(B) screening out students with disciplinary 
                problems that result in suspensions of less than 10 
                days of school per academic year.
            ``(9) Students served.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
        of this chapter, each recipient of a grant or contract for a 
        program or project assisted under section 402B, 402C, or 420H 
        shall ensure that \1/3\ of the students served under the 
        program or project are at-risk of not completing middle school, 
        secondary school, or college due to factors such as chronic 
        truancy, disciplinary proceedings, retention in grade, family 
        mobility, or being from a family whose taxable income for the 
        preceding year did not exceed 75 percent of an amount equal to 
        the poverty level determined by using criteria of poverty 
        established by the Bureau of the Census.
            ``(11) Counseling.--Each recipient of a grant or contract 
        for a program or project assisted under this chapter shall 
        coordinate activities with, and invite to professional 
        development activities, middle or secondary school counselors 
        in the area served by the program or project.

SEC. 305. WORK STUDY.

    Section 402C of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-
13) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph 
                (11);
                    (C) in paragraph (11) (as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B), by striking ``(9)'' and inserting 
                ``(10)''; and
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
            ``(10) provision of work-study positions where youth 
        participating in the project are exposed to careers requiring a 
        postsecondary degree; and'';
            (2) in subsection (e), by inserting before the period the 
        following: ``, except that youths participating in work-study 
        positions under subsection (b)(10) may be paid stipends of $300 
        per month during June, July, and August''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) Upward Bound Student Retention.--Each recipient of a grant or 
contract under this section shall--
            ``(1) set as an outcome objective for the project assisted 
        under this section that not less than 75 percent of the 
        individuals served under the project for a fiscal year shall be 
        served pursuant to the project in the succeeding fiscal year;
            ``(2) monitor and report to the Secretary the student 
        retention rates for the project; and
            ``(3) make adjustments in the project in order to increase 
        student retention rates to 75 percent during the period of the 
        grant or contract.

SEC. 306. SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WHOSE FAMILIES ARE ENGAGED IN 
              MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORK.

    (a) Findings.--Section 418A of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1070d-2) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (e), (f), and 
        (g) as subsections (b) through (f), (i), and (j), respectively; 
        and
            (2) by inserting before subsection (b) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1)) the following:
    ``(a) Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
            ``(1) Migrant workers are the most disadvantaged economic 
        subgroup in the Nation.
            ``(2) Migrant workers are also the most educationally 
        disadvantaged group in society.
            ``(3) The high school dropout rate for migrant children 
        exceeds 50 percent, the highest dropout rate of any subgroup in 
        the Nation.
            ``(4) The children of migrant families are the least likely 
        of all children to participate in postsecondary education.
            ``(5) Successful participation by migrant students in high 
        school and postsecondary education must be a national priority.
            ``(6) The high school equivalency program under this 
        section has shown remarkable success rates in educating migrant 
        young people who have dropped out of high school, with 69 
        percent of the students participating in the program attaining 
        their high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and 
        over 70 percent of those students continuing on to 
        postsecondary education.
            ``(7) The college assistance migrant program under this 
        section has successfully aided 96 percent of its migrant 
        students in completing their first year of undergraduate 
        education, with 73 percent of the students participating in the 
        program going on to receive a baccalaureate degree.
            ``(8) Prior to the creation of the high school equivalency 
        program and the college assistance migrant program, there is no 
        record of a single son or daughter of a migrant family having 
        completed college. With the programs, hundreds of students 
        receive baccalaureate degrees annually.
            ``(9) The high school equivalency program and the college 
        assistance migrant program are model programs for reversing 
        dropout statistics and promoting successful participation in 
        higher education by migrant students.
            ``(10) The high school equivalency program and the college 
        assistance migrant program should be expanded to reach more 
        students and should be considered as potential models for the 
        development of other programs to serve disadvantaged 
        populations with high dropout rates and low college attendance 
        rates. Limited funding for the programs allows the programs to 
        serve fewer than one in ten of the students eligible to benefit 
        from the programs.''.
    (b) Consideration of Prior Experience; Coordination of Services.--
Section 418A of such Act is amended--
            (1) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by subsection 
        (a)(1)), by striking ``Period; Consideration of Prior 
        Experience.--'' and inserting ``Period.--'';
            (2) by inserting after such subsection (f) the following:
    ``(g) Considerations.--
            ``(1) Prior experience.--'';
            (3) by transferring and inserting the last 2 sentences of 
        such subsection (f) after the paragraph heading for subsection 
        (g)(1); and
            (4) by adding at the end of subsection (g) the following:
            ``(2) Coordination of Services.--For the purpose of making 
        grants under this subpart, the Secretary shall consider the 
degree to which the applicant demonstrates that the applicant will 
coordinate its project with other local, State, and Federal programs 
that provide health and education services for migrant students.''.
    (c) Data Collection.--Section 418A of such Act is amended by 
inserting after subsection (g) (as inserted by subsection (b)) the 
following:
    ``(h) Data Collection.--
            ``(1) Longitudinal study.--The Secretary shall develop and 
        conduct a longitudinal study of--
                    ``(A) the educational attainment of migrant 
                students; and
                    ``(B) the health and education needs of such 
                students.
            ``(2) National center for education statistics.--The 
        Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement 
        appointed under section 202(b) of the Department of Education 
        Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3412(b)), through the National 
        Center for Education Statistics--
                    ``(A) shall collect--
                            ``(i) data on migrant students as part of 
                        the common core of data collected by such 
                        center; and
                            ``(ii) postsecondary education data on 
                        migrant students; and
                    ``(B) shall maintain such data in a manner such 
                that the data is discernible from data collected on 
                other student groups.
            ``(3) Other data.--The Secretary shall collect data on 
        migrant students in any case where the Secretary collects data 
        on students on a racial or ethnic basis.''.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (j) of section 
418A of such Act (as redesignated by subsection (a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``$15,000,000'' and inserting 
                ``$30,000,000''; and
                    (B) by striking ``1993'' and inserting ``1999'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``$5,000,000'' and inserting 
                ``$15,000,000''; and
                    (B) by striking ``1993'' and inserting ``1999''; 
                and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
subsection (h)(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may 
be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.''.
    (e) Special Rule.--Section 418A of such Act is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
    ``(k) Special Rule.--
            ``(1) In general.--For any fiscal year for which 
        appropriations for the high school equivalency program exceed 
        $20,000,000, and the appropriations for the college assistance 
        migrant program exceed $10,000,000, and for which such 
        appropriations are made after the date of the enactment of this 
        subsection, the Secretary may use not more than $5,000,000 from 
        each such amount to make grants to eligible institutions (as 
        defined in paragraph (2)) that demonstrate, to the satisfaction 
        of the Secretary, that the eligible institutions--
                    ``(A) will use the funds to provide services 
                described in subsection (c)(1)(B) to migrant students 
                enrolled at the institution; and
                    ``(B) will assist such students to meet the costs 
                of attending the institution through means such as 
                charging migrant students who are not residents of the 
                State in which the institution is located a discounted 
                tuition otherwise offered only to in-State residents.
            ``(2) Eligible institution defined.--For purposes of 
        paragraph (1), an eligible institution is an institution that, 
        during the most recently completed academic year preceding the 
        fiscal year for which funds are made available to the 
        institution under such paragraph--
                    ``(A) qualified as a part B institution (as defined 
                in section 322(2));
                    ``(B) did not have any projects receiving 
                assistance under subsection (b) or (c) located at the 
                institution or at a nonprofit organization working in 
                cooperation with the institution; and
                    ``(C) had enrolled at least 30 first-year migrant 
                students.''.
    (f) Technical Corrections.--Section 418A of such Act is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(1)(B)(i) (as redesignated by 
        subsection (a)(1)), by striking ``or whose parents, have'' and 
        inserting ``or whose spouse or parent, have''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)(1) (as redesignated by subsection 
        (a)(1))--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``themselves 
                or whose parents have'' and inserting ``themselves, or 
                whose spouse or parent, have''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (E), by inserting 
                ``internships,'' after ``academic programs,''.

SEC. 307. PROGRAMS FOR COUNSELING EXCELLENCE.

    Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

              ``PART G--PROGRAMS FOR COUNSELING EXCELLENCE

``SEC. 599A. AIM HIGH GRANTS.

    ``(a) Program Authority.--From amounts appropriated under section 
599C, the Secretary shall award grants to develop model programs--
            ``(1) to counsel students, at an early age, and parents, 
        about college opportunities, secondary school advanced 
        placement courses and test requirements, study skill 
        development, precollege requirements, the college admissions 
        procedure, career exploration in the public and private sector 
        and in highly technical fields, financial aid opportunities, 
        and student support services, that are specially designed or 
        customized for use in specific geographic, social, and cultural 
        environments;
            ``(2) which stimulate community partnerships with schools 
        by providing tutoring, mentoring, work experiences, exposure to 
        college campuses, and other services which support making 
        postsecondary education a realistic goal for all students; or
            ``(3) to provide in-service training to equip and prepare 
        guidance counselors for new educational reform indicators, such 
        as testing, high standards curricula, changing secondary school 
        and college entrance requirements, and improved information 
        about college opportunities.
    ``(b) Priorities in Selection.--The Secretary shall give priority 
to those model programs which are directed at areas which have a high 
proportion of minority, limited English proficiency, economically 
disadvantaged, disabled, nontraditional, or at-risk students, or 
students from a home in which a language other than English is spoken.
    ``(c) Proposal Requirements.--
            ``(1) Tailoring.--To receive a grant under subsection 
        (a)(1), the proposal submitted to the Secretary shall 
        demonstrate that the counseling on college opportunities, 
        precollege requirements, the college admissions procedure, and 
        financial aid opportunities (including early intervention 
        counseling), is tailored to a specific geographic, social or 
        cultural environment.
            ``(2) Community partnerships.--To receive a grant under 
        subsection (a)(2), the proposal submitted to the Secretary 
        shall demonstrate the active involvement of a local educational 
        agency and at least one of the following:
                    ``(A) A local business.
                    ``(B) A local community college or university.
                    ``(C) A community or education group.
            ``(3) Goals and outcomes.--To receive a grant under this 
        section, each proposal shall contain a statement of specific, 
        measurable goals and methods for obtaining statistics on the 
        number of participants who continue on to postsecondary 
        education.

``SEC. 599B. DIFFUSION ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Collection of Information.--The Secretary shall collect 
information concerning--
            ``(1) programs supported under section 599A and programs of 
        demonstrated effectiveness which counsel students about college 
        opportunities, precollege requirements, the college admissions 
        procedure, and financial aid opportunities;
            ``(2) early intervention programs of demonstrated 
        effectiveness which set students on the path toward staying in 
        school and pursuing a postsecondary education;
            ``(3) model programs which counsel students in specific 
        environments, such as urban, rural, and suburban; and
            ``(4) model programs which develop partnerships between 
        schools and communities to provide mentoring, tutoring, work 
        experiences and other services which support making 
        postsecondary education a realistic goal for all students.
    ``(b) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
information collected under subsection (a) is disseminated.

``SEC. 599C. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal 
year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 
succeeding fiscal years to carry out this part.''.

                    TITLE IV--STATE RESPONSIBILITIES

SEC. 401. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES.

    Title XIV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 8801 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

                      ``PART I--DROPOUT PREVENTION

``SEC. 14851. DROPOUT PREVENTION.

    ``In order to receive any assistance under this Act, a State 
educational agency shall comply with the following provisions regarding 
school dropouts:
            ``(1) Uniform data collection.--Within 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of the National Dropout Prevention Act of 
        1997, a State educational agency shall report to the Secretary 
        and statewide, all school district and school data regarding 
        school dropout rates in the State, and demographic breakdowns, 
        according to procedures that conform with the National Center 
        for Education Statistics' Common Core of Data.
            ``(2) Attendance-neutral funding policies.--Within 2 years 
        after the date of enactment of the National Dropout Prevention 
        Act of 1997, a State educational agency shall develop and 
        implement education funding formula policies for public schools 
        that provide appropriate incentives to retain an increasing 
        percentage of students in school throughout the school year, 
        such as--
                    ``(A) a student count methodology that does not 
                determine annual budgets based on attendance on a 
                single day early in the academic year; and
                    ``(B) specific incentives for retaining enrolled 
                students throughout each year.
            ``(3) Alternative placements.--Within 2 years after the 
        date of enactment of the National Dropout Prevention Act of 
        1997, a State educational agency shall develop uniform, long-
        term suspension and expulsion policies for serious infractions 
        resulting in more than 10 days of exclusion from school per 
        academic year so that similar violations result in similar 
        penalties.
            ``(4) Alternative educational placement.--Within 3 years 
        after the date of enactment of the National Dropout Prevention 
        Act of 1997, all students expelled or suspended from elementary 
        schools or secondary schools for a period of more than 10 
        school days per academic year will be provided access by the 
        State educational agency or local educational agency to an 
        alternative educational placement in which the student may 
        complete the students' academic year, secondary school 
        education, or degree or certificate program.''.
                                 <all>